So... Did you see my previous post? I was testing my vlogging abilities. It's one thing to speak smth in front of a camera. Is another thing to make it meaningful. AND an entirely different thing to actually post it, so that everybody will see. I admire those who have the gut. For some I wish they didn't. LOL! But let the ranting about hiking continue.... with part 2. Why Moldovans Don't Hike?
And yes, there is part 3... My Favorite Places to Hike
I hope it's somewhat useful and entertaining... Once I learned to laugh at myself, it cracks me up every time I watch it - esp. part 1. Thank you for taking the time. Big hug! Leave a comment. Even if cheesy.
Murdarici [Moordarich] was my housemate for the last three months or so. He has many good qualities. One thing I
especially like is how smart he is. Once I asked him to bring me my soap. He
stopped from cleaning himself, looked at me attentively and perked up his ears
as I repeated the request. When he realized I was being silly, he dismissed me, continuing with his cleaning.
"Don't Mind Her. She Likes Me."
He is not one of those needy, clingy cats that nags and rubs
on you. He is super independent and that I absolutely love about him. Once in a
while he comes and lies on my feet. Of course, than I want to pet him and play
with him. But he doesn’t mind if I pet him and play with him any time either. Actually,
he is getting addicted to it. I’ve got to keep him away, lest he becomes clingy
like the rest of the cats.
"I Love It When You Do That"
It took us a while to become friends. He was keeping his
distance before he realized he’s got nothing to fear. Now when I come from
somewhere he runs to me as if I’m his long missing friend.
I forgave him some of his mishandling of my property. One
morning I found the oven open. It had three pieces of chicken left there from
evening. One was missing. After my investigation into the matter, I have
learned that Murdarici is quite capable of opening the oven door and doesn’t
have an issue with getting anything that doesn’t belong to him. I love animals.
There is a saying: since I’ve got to know people, I love my dog even more. Joke.
I love people too. But I do have a problem when pets get into my
stuff, messing it up or eating it. Or I should say, they a have a problem. :)
"My Nose Hurts"
Another thing I love about Murdarici is that he is Mom’s
pest control. One day I even helped him catch a mouse in the barn. The mouse
was in a sack. Murdarici managed to immobilize it, but couldn’t get it out. He also catches birds, when they go to sleep at night in the walnut tree. Ferocious.
Mom & Murdarici Talk a Lot (guess who does most of the talking)
One June morning on the path in the garden, I ran into this dead
rat. It was pretty dead. I mean it’s been there a few hours perhaps, because it
was stiff. Ha! I had my suspicions that it might be Murdarici’s doing, but
didn’t give it much attention. The only thought of concern that crossed my mind
was that he dragged some poisoned rat from somewhere. But I think he's smarter than that.
Dead Rat
Later during breakfast Murdarici came looking at me with big
eyes. I asked him: what’s the matter? Then, I noticed he’s got a bigger nose
and some blood stain on it. He must have been in a ferocious fight and that rat
bit his nose. That’s why he didn’t care to eat it at that point. I empathized with
him as he laid down. Since I was eating, I had to pet him with my feet. He
doesn’t mind.
"Are You Taking a Picture of Me? Stop It."
And of course he is beautiful. Don't you agree? One day, while perhaps chasing after a mouse, he fell
into the outhouse… Yep! Guess who had to clean him? Mom only yelled at him, and chased
him away. So, he was sitting miserable in the grass at the corner of the house,
meowing pathetically. And I had only one rubber glove.
I'm sitting here trying to write my paper...I picked the Development of Old Age and Related Issues. I'm just curious about this topic. Besides, I don't think anybody else picked it. But, my mind is drifting away...
The statements of the psychology teacher that women have evolved from chicken are echoing in my ears... Yes, she was dead serious about it. She says she saw the comparison between brains and that they look similar. Also, she asks: "Did you notices how chicken are looking at the sun? Tilting their head on one side? Women do the same."
My great great great great great great.... grandma.
I guess there are exception, as with anything... But isn't it just so confidence-boosting? It so builds up self-esteem and helps a great deal, if one is uncertain of his/her identity. It's great to finally know you are kin-souls with a chicken; to feel the connection, when you're about to have it for dinner...
Whew! What a life! Can it really be more thrilling? Listen to this...
I'm sitting here in my little room in my big, empty house after a day of work. And what work? I'm almost afraid to say, 'cause you might get jealous. But I'll risk. Carrying clay and horse manure for my aunt who is helping me repair the stove... winter is coming. Yeah, that's what we use here for such works. I've got to mention gluing wallpaper to the walls... have I ever dreamed of anything like this? But it's worth the reason. 'Cause see...
... another exciting thing is the small group with the teen girls from the village. We talk about life and adventure and traveling and my best friend J. Oh, we also play fun games and drink hot tea. So, I'm getting the room ready. :)
However exhilarating that may sound, I must tell you, it is not the last highlight of the day yet, 'cause then I retreat to my little room to watch one of my favorite movies, the kind with spiders and magic. Yeyyyy! Spooky stuff. And... I hear some increasing noise under my sofa, around my desk, scratching and trotting... Like something is coming... Hoah! That would have scared you, but not me. I'm used to that by now - my all time companions, the mice! Now, I have to admit they are going a little over board this time...
Portland is very much community oriented. People are usually very friendly, networking, creating relationships, open to help each other, hang out with each other, that’s why the laid back feel of Portland as opposed to cold, living in a bubble lifestyle in cities like New York and Los Angeles.
People in US can be as miserable as in any country where the living conditions are far worse. There is discontentment with what they have, worry, anxiety, stress and depression. There is lack of values and purpose in life. People commit suicide.
There is much more superficiality in relationships. People are nicer outwardly, but it doesn’t always reflect what they mean. They are just as reluctant and hesitant to trust others and be open. They usually hide their true feelings under a smile.
In the Pacific Northwest particularly, people are very environment conscious, almost going to extremes, telling you when going into a forest were you are supposed to step and where not. They care about animals and wildlife, sometimes more then about people.
On Lifestyle…
There are many old people, living alone in huge, large houses, with lots of stuff accumulated: furniture, canned food, cleaning supplies, tools, clothes, electrical appliances, cookware, etc. etc. This will all get thrown away or sold for pennies after they die. I thought of the many in Moldova that lack the basics.
There are plenty of gay people outwardly showing their orientation. There are pastors who are gay that live with their partners. The mayor of Portland is gay involved in a scandalous affair, because he lied he had sex with an intern, prior to his election in the office, before that boy turned 18.
A lot of the bums there are dressed better than many people in Moldova, meaning you’d never guess that is a bum. There are services that take care of them, so that according to the official statements, there is no reason for anybody in Portland to go hungry.
People there are used to recycling everything, so they will never throw all trash in a pile. They separate glass, paper, newspaper, carton, tin cans (after are cut, washed, bent flat, and the paper tag removed) yard waste (leaves, grass, branches), plastic, and then what is left goes to regular trash.
On Religion…
There are all kinds of churches, however, people follow various religions, a lot into Buddhism and its various implications. Churches that accept gay people usually hang out a multicolored flag outside the building. Churches remain rigid and opinionated about things, this way often pushing people away.
